Brown City animal sanctuary cited again
Summer Wind Farms Sanctuary has been cited again for violating the federal Animal Welfare Act.
A May U.S. Department of Agriculture report inspection found more failings at the Brown City animal sanctuary that has been a target for scrutiny from PETA and federal regulators.
The May 17 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service found several violations of animal health and living standards at Summer Wind Farms Sanctuary.
The report said three ring-tailed lemurs in a single enclosure at the sanctuary “appeared thin and had very poor sparse hair coats” during an inspection, among other issues.
It also references the lack of food waste in their enclosure, noting when fed a monkey biscuit each lemur consumed them eagerly and quickly.
“The attending veterinarian had not been consulted regarding the condition of these animals,” the report states. “Failure to observe health issues and promptly treat and/or report them to the attending veterinarian will lead to unnecessary suffering and in extreme cases even possible animal death.”
USDA cites Brown City animal sanctuary ... again
The inspection recommended daily observations of all animals, and “extra scrutiny” for animals with known problems.
Chuck Vanneste, chief executive officer for Summer Wind Farms, said the lemurs were visited by a vet two days after the inspection. According to the vet's report, the lemurs' coat was dull because of treatment for flea eradication with no mention of other health problems.
Vanneste said he thought the USDA inspector assumed the lemurs had been underfed because they were previously overweight, and that the agency is being overly harsh about "every little thing."
Summer Wind Farms Sanctuary was subject to a formal USDA complaint in January that alleged issues dating back to November 2012, as well as violations over the past two years for noncompliance with the Animal Welfare Act.
Activists at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are calling attention to citations in last month’s USDA inspection.
In a statement, Brittany Peet, PETA Foundation director of captive animal law enforcement, added they follow a “mile-long rap sheet for filthy conditions and failure” to provide vet care.
"They make clear that this squalid facility either can't or won't properly care for exotic animals, which is exactly why PETA is calling for its exhibitor license to be stripped and the animals to be sent to reputable sanctuaries,” she said.
The 140-acre animal sanctuary, 6490 Mowerson Road, is home to bears, monkeys, alpacas, several tigers and other animals that were formerly pets, mascots or used for entertainment purposes.
PETA has filed a lawsuit against the USDA for “rubber-stamping renewal licenses” for facilities allegedly violating the AWA.
Summer Wind Farms’ license was last renewed at the end of 2015.
The January USDA complaint alleges close to 90 issues through October and could still result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines or the sanctuary’s license being suspended or revoked.
PETA counsel Jenni James said both processes are moving slowly, but still indicate "repeated animal neglect is the norm."
Another concern noted in the May report was improper drainage in a tiger’s enclosure, resulting in muddy conditions.
"She was playing in the water and made a mess of her cage," Vanneste said, referring to the tiger. "That afternoon it was dry. But when they were there, it was just after the water was changed."
Other citations entailed excessive feces in the tiger and Asian black bear enclosures; a high ammonia level in the water of the bear’s enclosure; lack of separation between an indoor tiger enclosure and multiple dogs; and a continued lack of “properly trained workers.”
“The facility relies on volunteer workers,” the report states. “… Most if not all of the facility issues could be corrected with an adequate number of properly trained workers. Animal numbers must be reduced or more properly trained workers must be added.”
Vanneste said there are about 20 volunteers, including four who volunteer "on a regular basis," and three regular employees.
He said another inspection was conducted on May 31 that seemed to come out more favorably, adding that report isn't yet available.
Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Jackie20Smith.